“This is creating 150 new jobs on top of the roughly 150 that will be coming over from our Shorelines Operation currently located at Kawartha Downs,” said Chuck Keeling, the company’s vice-president of stakeholder relations.

But as officials celebrated the construction milestone, the Peterborough Field Naturalists made a grim discovery.

Kim Zippel says a snapping turtle was found crushed on Harper Road.

“It’s emblematic of the encroachment on our wetlands,” Zippel said.

The Peterborough Field Naturalists have been critical of the casino, arguing that the project is a bad fit for the protected area and puts species like snapping turtles at risk.

The group says it’s always open to sharing its information with the city, but Zippel says the city prefers to go with consultants.

Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett has been at the forefront of the push to bring the casino from Kawartha Downs in Cavan Monaghan Township to the city.

“These are good paying jobs with benefits that are new to the community, it gives people in the community something else to look forward to as far as entertainment goes, there are a whole bunch of spin offs that are good for us,” Bennett said after Wednesday’s ceremony.